Sunday, October 22, 2006

This Is Our Country

1. Before the game, on ESPN Radio, Joe Morgan:

I think we may have underestimated the Cardinals' pitching staff because it's been patchmeal.

2. Even I'm tired of typing the words "small sample size." But it seems the likeliest explanation for how notorious playoff choker Kenny Rogers is now clutch playoff hero Kenny Rogers. Up until this year, Kenny had been horrendous in the playoffs -- for exactly 20 and 1/3 innings. So we all knew he couldn't get it done under the bright lights of the postseason. Until now, right after he puts together a crazy 23-inning scoreless streak. Here's something, though -- the aggregate of the two Kennys? A total playoff ERA of 4.15. Kenny's career regular season ERA? 4.19.

3. Small sample size, part 2: We're still awfully close to having an 83-win team be crowned the best in all of baseball. The Cardinals finished the year with the 13th most victories in the majors, and that doesn't take into account the difference in quality between the AL and the NL. Five teams with a better record didn't even make the playoffs. This is our country.